Vibrant, evocative and captivating, the works of contemporary French artist Jean-Pierre Cassigneul arouse the senses with their distinctive blend of classical beauty and avant-garde sophistication. Every brushstroke executed through the course of his over-60-year career pays tribute to the modern art masters that came before in a style that is uniquely Cassigneul.

Cassigneul’s artistic gifts were evident as a small boy growing up in Paris. Incredibly, with the encouragement of his parents, he had his first solo exhibition at the Lucy Krogh Gallery in 1952 when he was just 17. Then a student at the Charpentier Academy, he would soon continue his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts and earn membership to the Autumn Salon. By the time he was 24, Cassigneul was an established member of the French art scene.

His inspiration came from the revolutionary Les Nabis, Fauvist and Expressionist movements that dominated the early 20th century, represented by such artists as Pierre Bonnard, Edouard Vuillard and Kees von Dongen. With his dramatic use of color and unique intensity, Cassigneul gave rise to a singular style that explored the 2-dimensional space of the canvas featuring the stylized female form. Entitled September, this piece is a perfect example of his works depicting luxurious women at leisure. The canvas is dominated by brilliant blues and lush reds executed through broad, purposeful brushwork. The subject’s slender frame is punctuated by pops of color that draw the attention toward the enlarged proportions of her eyes and lips.

In The Emerald Necklace, Cassigneul presents a visual feast as this portrait of a beautiful lady of high society is invigorated by a kaleidoscope of lush greens. Again, the subject’s peerless eyes grip the viewer’s attention; her gaze is both entrancing and daring. Though the artist is clearly deriving his inspiration from several sources, he successfully and quite brilliantly marries the classic with the contemporary to craft an aesthetic that is entirely his own. 

Cassigneul has enjoyed tremendous success since that first showing at the age of 17. His capacity for melding the modern with the techniques of those who came before has allowed Cassigneul to forge a new, distinct path. With masterpieces that have enthralled the art world for over six decades, Cassigneul has formed a body of work that will forever hold a place of prominence in the annals of French modern art.

Click here to learn more about Cassigneul and his incredible paintings.

About M.S. Rau Antiques:

M.S. Rau Antiques has spent over 100 years earning the trust of discerning collectors world-wide. Located in the heart of New Orleans’ historic French Quarter, our peerless showroom houses one of the world’s most extensive and stunning collections of important fine art by artists such as Monet and van Gogh, rare 18th-and 19th-century antiques and breathtaking jewelry, including rare colored diamonds.